Football Team Holds Practice and Fan Day at Bryant-Denny

Sunday

Aug 3, 2008 at 6:51 PM

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama football team held its annual Media Day and Fan Day on Sunday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and head defensive coach Kevin Steele addressed the media in the Naylor Stone Media Room, while selected Crimson Tide players met with the media at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Afterwards, the Crimson Tide held a two-hour practice in helmets and shoulder pads in front of an estimated 7,750 fans. Following the practice session, Coach Saban and the Crimson Tide players signed autographs for the fans to conclude the festivities. "Our fans have a national reputation," Saban said. "It's a good reputation. I like the reputation. I like the spirit. I like the passion. We're pleased that we have expectations here of what we want to accomplish and the positive energy our fans have shown to this point has certainly been an asset to what we have been able to accomplish to this point. "We are plotting a direction and we are trying to get better, especially in recruiting it's been a real asset that our fans are positive. It's our goal and our aspirations personally to give our fans what they all want, and that's a winning program that they can be proud of that's recognized as a top-notch college football program on the national level. We'll continue to work hard to do that and I feel like we have a great opportunity to do that." "Our fans are amazing, they give us so much support," sophomore linebacker Rolando McClain said. "I love (fan day)," junior defensive back and return specialist Javier Arenas said. "Especially being a role model for the small kids." The Crimson Tide will continue preseason drills on Monday at 2:30 p.m. All practices are closed to the general public.